Insider advice for the independent traveller From Fundu Lagoon to Cape Town

In this issue:

Editorial
Why choose Cape Concierge?
Upcoming Events
Civ Air
Cape Town voted favourite

Editorial

After more than two years as activity managers at Fundu Lagoon, Neill and I have now settled in Cape Town, a city we first fell in love with 13 years ago.  Having enjoyed the challenge at Fundu of ensuring that our guests had the best time possible, our new business is dedicated to enhancing the holiday of the independent traveller in this wonderful city.

We will be sending out regular newsletters telling you what’s on in the upcoming months and generally boasting about what a great time we’re having.  Should this really irritate you - and I truly hope it won’t - you’ll be able to unsubscribe yourself from the mailing list very easily.  On the other hand if you find it interesting do feel free to forward it on to friends and relatives.

Our website is currently being updated.  As soon as it is ready I will let you know so that you can type in http://www.capeconcierge.co.za/ (za, by the way, is for ’Zuid Afrika’ - the Afrikaans spelling for South Africa) and gasp at all the amazing things you can do when you come over here.

Ever wanted to fly a jet?

With the onset of winter perhaps now is the time to think about beating the February blues by catching South Africa v England in a one day international at Newlands Cricket Ground.... Let us know if there is anything you would like us to investigate on your behalf - you might be interested in laser eye surgery or flying a military jet over table mountain, for instance - and we will promise to find the best for you.

 

We look forward to seeing you in Cape Town soon.
Daisy
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Why choose Cape Concierge?

Because you don’t need your hand held

We are primarily offering a service to those people who are comfortable travelling independently, who would normally book their own flights and who enjoy the adventure of experiencing life in a foreign city. We provide the contacts to help you make the most of your holiday and the back-up that deals with the details so you can relax and enjoy yourself.

Because you want to be sure of a high standard

When booking a holiday, there is always a temptation to return to a destination that has proved reliable in the past. We take that responsibility upon ourselves - we want our clients to feel reassured that by booking through us, they will be getting everything they hoped for.  With accommodation for instance, there are thousands upon thousands of options in Cape Town.  Many hotels and spas have websites and brochures that can give a fairly good idea of the look of the place but there is nothing better than a heartfelt recommendation from someone who has a good idea of what you like. More particularly, with the growing appreciation for a home-from-home holiday, short term lets are a potential minefield. Just the phrase ’tastefully furnished’ can be enough to send a tremor of dread down the spine and from what we’ve seen dusky pink and peach shades of polyester seem to be remarkably popular in some households. Unfortunately  many places are either completely devoid of any character and charm or hastily moved out of by the owners - and a lingering smell, sticky carpets or a bizarre collection of novelty teapots can be enough to take the edge off anyone’s holiday mood .  We are continually scouring through the accommodation on offer and ensuring that only those places with charm, character, convenience and quality register on our scale. 

The view from one of our houses

Our intention is to hear from you exactly what sort of place you would like to stay and to find it for you.  Our portfolio so far is small but growing and we discard far more than we recommend.  We are not afraid of letting you know the downsides of any property either - if it is perhaps a bit noisy or draughty, if the hot water tank will only fill half a bath, or if the owner tends to pop in a little more often than you would assume and talk a little bit more than you could believe. 

In addition, anything that we feel is lacking from the property we aim to supply before it is needed - plug adaptors, bedside lights, good quality pots and pans, books, magazines and maps giving information on Cape Town etc.  Anything else you need such as child gates, an extra fan, picnic equipment etc. we can source for you.

Because we have our fingers on the pulse

There is so much to do in Cape Town but where do you start?  Museums and art galleries are fairly straightforward but is it a good idea to take a tour of one of the townships (shanty towns)?  If so which one and with whom?  And of the myriads of day trips available, wouldn’t it be nice to organise a private tour, perhaps on horseback or with a picnic?  We are repeatedly updating our contacts with surfing instructors, jewellery makers, personal shoppers, dive leaders, curio makers, massage therapists, pilots, walking guides, au pairs, wine makers and even estate agents so that we can give you the inside edge.

Because it won’t cost you any extra

We earn our money through commissions from the people with whom we put you in touch.  Our reputation is more important to us than anything else so you can rest assured that we will always find you the best.  And of course booking through us will certainly save you a lot of time and hassle.


Cape Concierge is a totally customer-driven service.  Our aim is to help every visitor to Cape Town have the best possible holiday, and to that end we are constantly reviewing the service we offer. We are always grateful for feedback from our clients. 


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Upcoming Events

        Spring is here - where are you?

 

THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE
6 November
A truly Cape Town arena encompassing both the mountains and city in this special and challenging hiking event.

CAPE HORSE TRIALS
6 November
More than 100 of the country’s top equestrians will ride in the Cape Horse Trials at the Spier Estate in Stellenbosch. 
 
CAPE TOWN WORLD CINEMA FESTIVAL 2004
12 - 20 November
A festival of world cinema with African film at its heart. 
 
CYCLING - WORLD CUP TRACK 2004
13 November
World cup cycling comes to this world class venue - the Bellville Velodrome. 
 
10th INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
21 November
This fabulous visual spectacle originated in China over 2300 years ago.  In 1992 two beautiful ceremonial wooden dragon boats were presented to Cape Town by Taiwan and the exciting team sport became an annual fixture here.
 
BLACK EYED PEAS IN CONCERT
23 November
This group, currently considered on of the best music acts in the world, comes to Cape Town to promote its much anticipated 4th album ’Monkey Business’, due for release in early 2005.

NELSON MANDELA INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
26 - 28 November
This eight-team two-day golf tournament is fast becoming South Africa’s premier charity event. This year has Samuel L. Jackson heading the list of celebrities alongside golfing world number three, Ernie Els.

JOSH GROBAN LIVE AT KIRSTENBOSCH
3 & 4 December
The pop/classical singer/songwriter, best known for his appearance in Ally McBeal, performs live in the magnificent setting of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.  

ALL-AFRICA OPEN PARAGLIDING CHAMPIONSHIPS
5 December
A rare opportunity for members of the public to see serious paraglider pilots competing at one of the world’s best venues.

SIMONSBERG FINE WINE & FOOD FAIR
11 - 12 December
Celebrating its 4th year of success, the Simonsberg Fine Wine & Food Fair will present a December holiday weekend of gastronomic and vinous feasting.

TABLE BAY INTERNATIONAL SAILING WEEK
12 - 18 December  
The premier sailing regatta in Cape Town attracts entries from home and abroad - great sailing, great partying. 

BURGER / SANLAM CYCLE TOUR
12 December
One of the top cycling events in the Western Cape, with options of 118km, 72km or 28km routes allowing the whole family to participate.

MOTHER CITY QUEER PROJECT
18 December
The biggest annual costume party in the world - more than 50 djs on 10 dance floors over 24 hours - this event is immensely popular with both gay and straight punters vying to outdo one another with outlandish get-ups. 

VODACOM CLIFTON BEACH CHALLENGE
19 December
Clifton’s trendy 4th Beach plays host once more to this challenge featuring exciting strength, speed and fitness contests between celebrity Springbok rugby stars and the Clifton Beach lifesavers.

THIRD TEST: SOUTH AFRICA v ENGLAND
2 - 6 January 2005
South Africa take on England at Newlands in Cape Town in the third Test of a five-match series.

CAPE TOWN MINSTREL CARNIVAL
3 - 4 January 2005
Cape Town’s biggest and most raucous carnival sees the city celebrating the advent of the New Year with numerous festivals, competitions and extravagant parades.

CAPE FEST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL
9 - 13 January 2005
A five-day musical celebration featuring 36 top South African and international bands performing at the beautiful Mnandi Beach Resort, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet and Table Mountain provides a dramatic backdrop.

ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL: SOUTH AFRICA v ENGLAND
6 February 2005
South Africa take on England in this One-Day International at Newlands in Cape Town, the fourth of a seven-match series.

CAPE TOWN PRIDE
18 - 27 February 2005
Nelson Mandela’s new constitution, when he swept away Apartheid and ushered in South African democracy in 1994, included the all important "freedom of sexual orientation" clause.  This 10 day celebration is considered Africa’s Mardi Gras.

REM IN CONCERT
3 March 2005
The launch of the South African leg of the supergroup’s World Tour to promote their new album ’Around the Sun’.

CAPE ARGUS PICK ’N’ PAY CYCLE TOUR
14 March 2005
The biggest timed cycle tour in the world. The 105km tour around the beautiful Cape Peninsula takes place every year and attracts over 35,000 entrants from all over the world.

CAPE TOWN FESTIVAL
13 - 21 March 2005
Featuring the best in original South African and international music, performance, public art, comedy, spoken word and visual arts, this festival provides a rich slice of culture for all generations to enjoy.

ART OF LIVING FESTIVAL
23 - 28 March 2005
Billed as "a meeting of the ways and a celebration of life", the Art of Living Festival at Cape Town’s Civic Centre is the largest alternative event of its kind in Africa.

OLD MUTUAL TWO OCEANS MARATHON
10 April 2005
This popular annual event features a 56km ultra-marathon and, for those who don’t fancy mixing with the professionals, a shorter 21.1km race as well.

 
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Civ Air

Have you heard that a new low-cost ‘no frills’ airline will soon be flying direct to Cape Town from London Stansted?  Civ Air has been operating light aircraft and helicopter charters in Cape Town since 1989 and now with a Boeing 747-200 in their fleet they are preparing to join the big boys. Check out their light aircraft charter specials on http://www.civair.com/. (A fuffie slide by the way is a zip wire).

NEWSFLASH - We have heard from the manager of Civ Air that some glitches in registration paperwork have delayed the launch of its London - Cape Town route.  The maiden flight is now planned for 4 December.


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Cape Town voted favourite

Did you know that Cape Town won the prestigious category of ’Favourite Foreign City’ in this year’s Telegraph Travel Awards?  Editor Graham Boynton said ’The Telegraph Travel Awards are based on the genuine opinions and experiences of the UK’s most affluent travellers and holidaymakers. Our Awards have been established to reward the very best service across the UK and international travel industry.’

The Telegraph Travel Awards highlight the very best that travel can offer, and emerge from the biggest annual survey of the British travelling public. Some 25,000 readers were questioned on their travel habits - not just where and how they like to travel, but on their attitudes to terrorism, domestic trips and holiday spending.

The results revealed a fundamental shift in our travelling behaviour. We have moved away from traditional two-week holidays in Europe and now think nothing of jumping on a plane to South Africa - even for the weekend.

Cape Town was the first non-European destination ever to win the award for Favourite Foreign City, a title held by Paris for five straight years and Barcelona last year.

See our next newsletter for more... 
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